Apparatus and method for automated feedback and dynamic correction of a weapon system

ABSTRACT

A method, apparatus, and system for adjusting a targeting solution of a weapon system are provided. The weapon system may fire a projectile at a target, where the projectile comprises a location device. The location device may be active or passive. A location notification is received about the first projectile. An impact location of the projectile is determined based on the location notification. The targeting solution of the weapon system is adjusted based on the determined first impact location. The targeting solution may be adjusted directly or indirectly. An indirect adjustment of the targeting solution may include displaying a projectile-status display and/or providing a suggested targeting solution.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to targeting of the weapon systems generally, andspecifically to adjusting targeting solutions of weapon systems based onlocation notifications about projectiles fired by weapon systems.

BACKGROUND

Weapon systems, such as mortars and artillery pieces, are widely used bymilitary forces worldwide. The weapon systems are used to fireprojectiles, such as artillery shells or mortar rounds, at a target.Once fired, the projectile flies toward the target and lands at animpact location. The projectile may carry a payload designed to explodeupon impact. Upon impact, the projectile may use concussive andexplosive forces to further injure and/or destroy the target. Someprojectiles also carry fragments of metal, ceramic or other materials toinjure or destroy the target. The projectile may destroy the target ifthe impact location of the projectile is within a “lethal radius”, orclose enough to destroy the target. The projectile may injure orpartially destroy the target, such as when the target is near, but notwithin, the lethal radius.

There are many reasons to reduce the number of targeting adjustments andtherefore the number of projectiles fired at the target. Current weaponsystems, though generally accurate, require targeting adjustments toland projectiles within the lethal radius of the target. To verify atargeting adjustment is accurate, at least one projectile must be firedat the target. Firing projectiles may be expensive, as each projectilemay cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Further, firing even oneprojectile from a weapon system may damage people and property not atthe targeted location. The location of a weapon system may be given awayafter firing a projectile, possibly leading to an attack, such ascounter-battery fire, that harms or kills the users of the weapon systemas well as the weapon system.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present application include methods and apparatus foradjusting a targeting solution of a weapon system using locationnotifications received about projectiles fired by the weapon system.

A first embodiment of the invention provides a method for adjusting atargeting solution of a weapon system. The weapon system fires a firstprojectile at a target. A first location notification is received aboutthe first projectile. The first projectile includes a location device. Afirst impact location of the first projectile is determined based on thefirst location notification. The targeting solution of the weapon systemis adjusted based on the determined first impact location.

A second embodiment of the invention provides a projectile-trackingdevice. The projectile-tracking device includes a processor, datastorage, and machine-language instructions stored in the data storage.The machine-language instructions are executable by the processor toperform functions including: (i) determining a first target of a firstweapon system, (ii) receiving a location notification from a projectilefired from the first weapon system, (iii) determining a first impactlocation of the projectile, and (iv) determining a second target of thefirst weapon system based on the first impact location.

A third embodiment of the invention provides a system. The systemincludes a weapon system and a projectile-tracking device. The weaponsystem is configured to fire a projectile at a target. The projectileincludes a location device. The projectile is configured to send alocation notification. The projectile-tracking device is configured to(i) receive the location notification and (ii) display aprojectile-status display. The projectile-status display includes: thelocation of the projectile based on the received location notification,a location of the weapon system, and the target of the weapon system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various examples of embodiments are described herein with reference tothe following drawings, wherein like numerals denote like entities, inwhich:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are block diagrams of a side view and a top view,respectively, of an example of a weapon system, in accordance withembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a depiction of an example weapon system firing a projectile ata target, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows an example of a projectile, in accordance with embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 4 shows an example scenario with a projectile-tracking devicetracking a plurality of the projectiles fired by a plurality of theweapon systems at a plurality of targets, in accordance with embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 5 shows an example projectile-status display of aprojectile-tracking device, in accordance with embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example computing device, in accordancewith embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an example location notification, inaccordance with embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example method, in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The instant application describes use of location notifications receivedabout projectiles to adjust a targeting solution of a weapon system. Alocation notification is an indication of a location of the projectileafter being fired from the weapon system. A location notification mayindicate an in-flight location or an impact location of the projectile.An in-flight location of a projectile is a location of the projectilebetween the time when the flight of the projectile begins (e.g., whenthe projectile is fired) and the time when the flight of the projectileends (e.g., when the projectile lands). An impact location of aprojectile is a location where the flight of the projectile ends. One ormore location notifications may be received by a projectile-trackingdevice about an in-flight location and/or an impact location of theprojectile.

To determine a location notification, a projectile to be fired by theweapon system may comprise a location device. The location device may be“active” and send location notifications or be “passive” and allow adevice, such as a range-finding device, to send location notificationsbased on passive location device observations made by the range-findingdevice.

The projectile-tracking device may determine an impact location of theprojectile based on the location notification. The determined impactlocation may be estimated by the projectile-tracking device, based onthe ballistics equation of motion and/or curve-fitting algorithms.

Information provided by the projectile-tracking device may be used toadjust a “targeting solution” of the weapon system, based on thedetermined impact location. For example, the projectile-tracking devicemay directly or indirectly adjust the targeting solution. Theprojectile-tracking device may directly adjust the targeting solution bychanging the targeting solution of the weapon system. Theprojectile-tracking system may indirectly adjust the targeting solutionby displaying information, such as a projectile-status display, to auser of the weapon system for the user to adjust the targeting solutionafter reviewing the displayed information.

Turning to the figures, FIGS. 1A and 1B are block diagrams of a sideview and a top view, respectively, of a weapon system 100, in accordancewith embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1A shows the weapon system 100with a gun tube 102 having a muzzle 104, a breech 106, and a firingmechanism 108. The weapon system 100 may be used to fire one or moreprojectiles, such as projectile 110. A soldier or other user of theweapon system 100 may insert the projectile 110 into the firingmechanism 108, typically via a door (not shown) in the firing mechanism108 providing access to the breech 106 of the gun tube 102. The soldiermay fire the weapon system 100 causing the projectile 110 to leave theweapon system 100 via the muzzle 104 to fly along a trajectory. Afterthe projectile 110 flies along the trajectory, the projectile 110 mayimpact at an impact location.

The elevation of a weapon is the angle between a horizontal planerepresenting the ground and a direction of a gun tube of a weaponsystem. FIG. 1A shows an elevation 180 of E° for the weapon system 100.FIG. 1A depicts the elevation 180 as a dashed line indicating the anglebetween a horizontal plane 182 running along a bottom of the weaponsystem 100 and a direction 184 of the gun tube 102 of the weapon system100. The elevation may be expressed in angular units such as degrees,radians, or as a quadrant elevation (QE). The QE may be expressed interms of degrees or “mils” or units of rotation. (There are 6,400 milsof rotation in a circle; for example, a QE of 800 mils corresponds to a45° angle.)

The azimuth indicates a direction of fire for the weapon system (i.e.,the direction of the gun tube or barrel of the weapon system) expressedas an angle from a reference plane, such as true north. FIG. 1Bindicates an azimuth 190 of A°. FIG. 1B depicts the azimuth 190 as adashed line, indicated with respect to a reference plane 192 and adirection of the gun tube 102. The azimuth may be expressed in angularunits such as radians, degrees, or in mils. Another term for the azimuthis a “quadrant direction” (QD), often used when the azimuth is expressedin mils. Note that some weapon systems 100 may not have a gun tube 102,so the azimuth and elevation may be expressed with reference to adirection of fire or other reference rather than with reference to a guntube as described herein (i.e., rails for a rail gun).

FIG. 2 is a depiction of the example weapon system 100 firing theprojectile 210 at a target 220, in accordance with embodiments of theinvention. The weapon system 100 may be aimed at the target 220, and mayfire one or more projectiles, such as the projectile 210. The projectile210 is shown in FIG. 1 with a circular shape. However, the projectile210 may have a different shape, such as a conical or bullet shape,rather than a circular shape. A targeting solution may be specified toaim the weapon system 100.

The targeting solution may comprise a location of the weapon system 100,as well as the elevation and the azimuth. The weapon system 100 may bemobile, such as a self-propelled howitzer or gun mounted on a tank. Assuch, the location of the weapon system 100 may change. In somesituations, mobile weapon systems may not choose to change locations;such as when moving a mobile weapon system would draw enemy attention tothe weapon system or if movement of the mobile weapon system could harmfriendly forces.

FIG. 2 shows the weapon system 100, the projectile 210, informationsources 240, a projectile-tracking device 250, and a ballistics engine260 connected to a network 230. The weapon system 100 may have a networkinterface to connect to the network 230. The network interface of theweapon system 100 may be configured to send and receive data and mayinclude a wired-communication interface and/or a wireless-communicationinterface. The wired-communication interface, if present, may comprise awire, cable, fiber-optic link or similar physical connection to a widearea network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), one or more public datanetworks, such as the Internet, one or more private data networks, orany combination of such networks. The wireless-communication interface,if present, may utilize an air interface, such as an IEEE 802.11 (e.g.,Wi-Fi) interface to a WAN, a LAN, one or more public data networks(e.g., the Internet), one or more private data networks, or anycombination of public and private data networks.

Each data network in the network 230 may be secured using physicaland/or cryptographic security of network connections; for example, allnetwork transmissions to and from the weapon system 100 may beencrypted. Securing network connections increases the chance that anenemy will not intercept and/or scramble data on the networkconnections. Data may be transmitted in an encrypted format for securityusing cryptographic protocols and/or algorithms, such as DES, AES, RSA,Diffie-Hellman, and/or DSA. Other cryptographic protocols and/oralgorithms may be used as well or in addition to those listed herein. Ifdata is sent in an encrypted format, a device receiving the data, suchas the weapon system 210 or the projectile-tracking device 250, maydecrypt the data, such as the location information.

FIG. 2 shows information sources 240 connected to the network 230. Theinformation sources 240 may provide information to theprojectile-tracking device 250. For example, information sources 240 mayprovide meteorological information, tactical and/or strategicinformation, information about targets and their activities, as well asmany other types of information to projectile-tracking device 250. Theprojectile-tracking device 250 may integrate and provide informationfrom information sources 240 to a user of the projectile-tracking device250.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may track one or more projectiles. Totrack one or more projectiles, the projectile-tracking device 250 mayreceive location notifications. The location notifications may be sentfrom a plurality of the projectiles fired from a plurality of the weaponsystems at a plurality of targets and/or from one or more range-findingdevices.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may track profiles by assigning anidentifier to each projectile 210. The projectile-tracking device 250may assign an identifier to a projectile by: (a) assigning an identifierto each weapon system, (b) maintaining a count of the projectiles firedby the weapon system, and (c) generating the identifier for theprojectile based on the assigned identifier for the weapon system and/orthe count of the projectiles fired. For example, if the weapon system“WS3” has already fired 4 projectiles, projectile-tracking device 250may generate an identifier such as “WS3-5” for the next (fifth)projectile to be fired by WS3. Many other assignment algorithms arepossible.

The identifier of the projectile may be pre-assigned. For example, apre-assigned identifier may be painted on the projectile or encoded as abar code. The bar code may be printed on a sticker that is affixed onthe projectile and later read from the sticker, perhaps with a bar codereader.

In an embodiment of the invention, an identifier of the projectile is anidentifier that can be used for secure communications with theprojectile, i.e. the identifier is used a cryptographic key. The use ofsecure or encrypted communications provides additional security whencommunicating with the projectile. The cryptographic key may be used toencrypt and/or decrypt communications with the projectile usingcryptographic protocols and/or algorithms, such as DES, AES, RSA,Diffie-Hellman, and/or DSA. Other cryptographic protocols and/oralgorithms may be used as well or in addition to those listed herein.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may receive location notificationsfrom projectiles fired by one or more weapon systems, such as theprojectile 210. Projectile-tracking device 250 may receive a locationnotification including an in-flight location of the projectile 210and/or an impact location of the projectile 210.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may determine the impact locationbased on location information provided by the projectile 210 in one ormore location notifications. For example, the projectile 210 may providethe impact location as location information in a location notification.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may determine an impact location ofthe projectile by estimating the impact location of the projectile 210based on one or more in-flight location notifications from theprojectile 210. For example, the projectile-tracking device 250 maydetermine a curve (e.g., a parabola) that passes through or passes closeto the locations provided by the in-flight notifications using acurve-fitting algorithm. Based on the determined curve,projectile-tracking device 250 may be able to determine an impactlocation.

For example, assume a curve determined by a curve-fitting algorithm is:y(t)=245*t−4.9*t², where y=distance above ground in meters and t=time inseconds. By setting y=0 and solving for t, the projectile-trackingdevice 250 may determine that t=50 seconds. Further assume that theprojectile is traveling at 245 meters/second from the weapon systemalong the azimuth (i.e., in the direction of fire). Then, after 50seconds, the projectile-tracking device 250 may determine that theimpact location will be 245*50=12,250 meters from the weapon systemalong the azimuth.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may estimate the impact location ofthe projectile using a mathematical model. For example, the well-knownballistic equation provides a mathematical model of an ideal trajectoryof the projectile. NATO Standardization Agreement 4355, which isincorporated herein by reference, provides a detailed mathematical modelbased on the ballistic equation, for trajectory simulation of artilleryprojectiles for NATO Naval and Army forces. [NATO Military Agency forStandardization, NATO Standardization Agreement 4355, Subject: TheModified Point Mass Trajectory Mode, p. 1, Revision 2, Document No.MAS/24-LAND/4355, Jan. 20, 1997 (“STANAG 4355”).]

Based on projectile location information, including impact locations,the projectile-tracking device 250 may adjust a targeting solution ofthe weapon system 100. A targeting solution of the weapon system 100 maycomprise the azimuth, the elevation, and/or the location of the weaponsystem 100. For example, if a location notification from the projectile210 indicates that the impact location of the projectile 100 was shortof the target 220, the projectile-tracking device 250 may adjust theelevation of the weapon system 100 to be closer to a possible maximumrange angle of 800 mils (45°). Similarly, the projectile-tracking device250 may adjust the azimuth of the weapon system 100 if a projectile doesnot impact on or near a direct line from the weapon system to thetarget. If the weapon system 100 is mobile, the projectile-trackingdevice 250 may adjust the targeting solution of the weapon system 100 bychanging the location of the weapon system 100 (e.g., move the weaponsystem 100 closer to the target 220). The projectile-tracking device 250may simultaneously adjust any combination of the location, theelevation, and the azimuth of the weapon system 100 in adjusting thetargeting solution of the weapon system 100.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may adjust the targeting solutionbased on previous targeting solutions and/or previous impact locationsas well. The weapon system, once targeted, may maintain a previoustargeting solution until later adjusted. As such, a targeting solutionmay depend on the previous targeting solution.

The previous targeting solutions and/or previous impact locations may becompared to determine error patterns in the weapon system 100. Forexample, suppose a mathematical model using targeting solution t (e.g.,the ballistics equations) predicts an impact location would be at apoint x. Further suppose the actual impact location of a projectilefired by the weapon system 100 using targeting solution t is at a pointx′, where the azimuth of the point x′ is slightly to the left of thepredicted impact location x. If this pattern continues; that is, if manyor all projectiles fired by weapon system 100 have impact locationsslightly to the left of predicted impact locations, the targetingsolution may be adjusted to account for this error pattern of the weaponsystem 100 shooting slightly to the left. Similar adjustments may bemade for the elevation and location components of the targeting solutionas well.

User input may confirm, partially override, or completely overrideadjustments to the targeting solution provided by theprojectile-tracking device 250. For example, suppose theprojectile-tracking device 250 adjusts a targeting solution of theweapon system 100 by attempting to change the elevation and azimuth ofthe weapon system 100. A user of the projectile-tracking device 250 mayconfirm the adjustment to the targeting solution. The user of theprojectile-tracking device 250 may also partially override the targetingsolution by accepting the attempted change in elevation but not thechange in azimuth or vice versa. In another example, supposeprojectile-tracking device 250 adjusts a targeting solution of theweapon system 100 by attempting to change the location of the weaponsystem 100. The user of the projectile-tracking device 250 may determinemovement of the weapon system 100 is unacceptable and completelyoverride an adjustment to the targeting solution that involves changingthe location of the weapon system 100. In an embodiment of theinvention, no user input is required to adjust the targeting solution ofthe weapon system 100 (i.e., the adjustments to the targeting system arefully automatic).

User input may provide one or more adjustment ranges that theprojectile-tracking device 250 can make to the targeting solution of theweapon system 100. Intervening objects and/or people may make sometargeting solutions invalid; for example, targeting solutions thatinvolve firing shots into a building housing only noncombatants orhousing friendly forces are generally invalid. Each one or moreadjustment ranges may indicate that the adjustment range is either validor invalid.

The one or more adjustment ranges may be provided to the weapon system100 via an information source 240, such as a command, control,communications, and intelligence (C³I) information source. The C³Iinformation source may indicate to the weapon system 100 that validtargeting solutions are (or are not) within one or more adjustmentranges. The C³I information source may also confirm, partially override,or completely override adjustments to the targeting solution provided bythe projectile-tracking device 250.

Therefore, the targeting solution may be fixed to permitprojectile-tracking device 250 to adjust the targeting solution of theweapon system 100 within a valid adjustment range of elevation values,azimuth values and/or locations of the weapon system 100. For example,if friendly forces are located south of the weapon system 100, anadjustment range of elevation, azimuth, and/or location values mayprohibit invalid targeting solutions, such as azimuths of 3000-3400 milsfrom true north (i.e., a range of azimuths south of the weapon system100) may be provided to the projectile-tracking device 250.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may adjust the targeting solution ofthe weapon system 100 indirectly, such as by displaying informationabout the targeting solution of the weapon system 100. After reviewingthe displayed information about the targeting solution, a user of theweapon system 100 may then adjust the targeting solution of the weaponsystem 100. For example, the projectile-tracking device 250 may displayan impact location of the projectile 210 fired by the weapon system 100.Based on the displayed impact location, a user of the weapon system 100may adjust the targeting solution of the weapon system 100. Theprojectile-tracking device 250 may also display a suggested targetingsolution as well (e.g., change elevation from 1000 mils to 980 mils ormove the weapon system forward 100 meters).

User input may be provided to configure the projectile-tracking device250 by selecting direct, indirect, or both direct and indirectadjustments to the targeting solution, by specifying adjustment ranges,by requesting a display of suggested targeting solutions, and/or byspecifying which parameters of a targeting solution may be adjusted bythe projectile-tracking device 250.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may make a series of adjustments tothe targeting solution of the weapon system 100 based on multiple impactlocations of the projectiles fired by the weapon system 100. If theweapon system 100 fires a first projectile at the target 220, theprojectile-tracking device 250 may adjust the targeting solution of theweapon system 100, based on a first impact location of the firstprojectile. Then, the weapon system 100 may fire a second projectile atthe target 220. The projectile-tracking device 250 may adjust thetargeting solution of the weapon system 100 based on a second impactlocation of the second projectile. The projectile-tracking device 250may adjust the targeting solution of the weapon system 100 based onmultiple impact locations (e.g., both the first impact location and thesecond impact location). The adjustment of the targeting solution of theweapon system 100 based on multiple impact locations may be repeated asneeded (i.e., as long as projectiles are fired at the target 220).

The projectile-tracking device 250 may suggest other solutions to hitthe target beyond adjusting the targeting of the weapon system 100. Forexample, projectile-tracking device 250 may use different projectileswith a higher “charge level” or amount of propellant to reach a longerdistance if shots fired at the maximum range angle are short. Ifmultiple targets are available, the projectile-tracking device 250 maysuggest a targeting solution aimed at a different target if the currenttarget is out of range or otherwise difficult to hit.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may determine a lethal radius of theprojectile 210. The lethal radius of the projectile 210 may bedetermined based on a type and amount of payload carried by theprojectile 210. For example, a projectile carrying a payload with alarge amount of high explosive may have a larger lethal radius than aprojectile with a smaller payload and/or a less powerful type ofexplosive. The lethal radius may be determined based on a model of anexplosion of a type and amount of payload. The projectile-trackingdevice 250 may use a lookup table to look up the lethal radius based onthe type and amount of payload. The projectile-tracking device 250 maydetermine the lethal radius based on the construction of target as well;for example, the lethal radius of a concrete building may be smallerthan the lethal radius of a wooden shed.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may determine a status of the target220. The status of the target 220 may be based on the construction ofthe target 220, the projectile 210, and/or one or more impact locations.For example, the status of the target 220 may be based on determining animpact location is within a lethal radius of a target. As describedabove, the lethal radius may depend on the construction of the target220 and the payload of the projectile 210.

A categorical status of the target 220 may be determined. The term“deflection” is the distance from the target 220 to an impact locationof a projectile fired at the target 220. For example, if the deflectionis within the lethal radius of the projectile 210, the status of thetarget 220 may be “destroyed”. If the deflection is near, but not withinthe lethal radius of the projectile 210, the status of the target 220may be “partially destroyed”. If the deflection is not near the lethalradius of the projectile 210, the status of the target 220 may be“intact” or unchanged. A numerical value may be used for the status ofthe target as well (e.g., 80% destroyed or 50% intact).

The determination of a deflection being “near” the target may beperformed by comparing the distance between the target and an impactlocation to one or more thresholds. The one or more thresholds may bebased on the lethal radius. For example, a first threshold of adeflection being “near” the target may be two times the lethal radius,and a second threshold of a deflection being “far” from the target maybe four times the lethal radius. In this example, if the deflection iswithin the lethal radius, the status of the target may be “destroyed”;if the deflection is “near” or outside the lethal radius but close tothe first threshold, the status of the target may be “nearly destroyed”;if the deflection is between the first and second thresholds, the statusof the target may be “partially destroyed”; otherwise, the deflection is“not near” and thus the status of the target is unchanged. The status ofthe target may be adjusted based on multiple impact locations as well;e.g., if a target has been nearly hit by multiple projectiles, thestatus of the target may be adjusted from “partially destroyed” to“nearly destroyed”.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may adjust the targeting solution ofthe weapon system 100 to fire at a different target based on an impactlocation of a projectile. For example, if the impact location of aprojectile is within a lethal radius of a projectile, theprojectile-tracking device 250 may determine that the status of thetarget 220 is nearly or completely destroyed. After determining thestatus of the target 220 to be nearly or completely destroyed, theprojectile-tracking device 250 may determine that the weapon system 100is to be aimed at and then fired at a different target. Theprojectile-tracking device 250 may accept user input to confirm oroverride an adjustment of the weapon system 100 to aim at and/or fire ata different target.

The projectile-tracking device 250 may determine that no moreprojectiles are to be fired at the target 220. For example, theprojectile-tracking device 250 may determine that no more projectilesare to be fired if (a) no more targets are available to the weaponsystem 100 (i.e., all targets have been destroyed or are out of range ofthe weapon system 100), (b) no more projectiles are available for theweapon system 100 to fire, and/or (c) based on user input to theprojectile-tracking device 250.

FIG. 2 shows the weapon system 100 connected via the network 230 toballistics engine 260. An example ballistics engine 260 is described inthe U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Method andApparatus for Analysis of Errors, Accuracy, and Precision of FireControl Mechanisms”, Honeywell Docket No. H0018175-5548, filed on______, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The ballistics engine 260 may simulate the performance of the weaponsystem 100, such as determining simulated trajectories and/or impactlocations of shots fired by the weapon system 100. Based on simulatedshots of the weapon system 100, the ballistics engine 260 may determineperformance results of the weapon system 100, such as ananalyzed-impact-location graph comprising mean point of impact, standarddeviation, and center error probable information. Theprojectile-tracking device 250 may adjust the targeting solution of theweapon system 100 based on information from the ballistics engine 260,including simulated impact locations, simulated trajectory information,statistical results, and/or the error-weighting function of the weaponsystem 100.

The ballistics engine 260 may receive location notifications directlyfrom projectile 210 and/or indirectly via a device connected to network230, such as the projectile-tracking device 250 or the weapon system100. Simulation data, such as but not limited to detailed error-sourcedescriptions (DESDs) and/or error-source weights, of the ballisticsengine 260 may be adjusted or otherwise updated using the locationnotifications, including impact locations, from the projectile 210. Theweapon system 100, the projectile 210 and/or the projectile-trackingdevice 250 may also provide information about the projectiles fired bythe weapon system 100, such as charge levels and types of propellant, tothe ballistics engine 260.

The combination of functionality of the projectile-tracking device 250and the ballistics engine 260 may be performed by transmitting databetween the projectile-tracking device 250 and the ballistics engine 260and/or combining software functionality of the projectile-trackingdevice 250 and the ballistics engine 260. The simulated results can betransmitted from the ballistics engine 260 to the projectile-trackingdevice 250, and actual results may be transmitted from theprojectile-tracking device 250 to the ballistics engine 260. Thecombination of simulated results determined by the ballistics engine 260and actual results determined by the projectile-tracking device 250 maylead to improved modeling of the weapon system 100 by ballistics engine260 and/or improved adjustments of the targeting solution of the weaponsystem 100 by the projectile-tracking device 250. In an embodiment ofthe invention, the functionality of both the projectile-tracking device250 and the ballistics engine 260 is combined.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a projectile 300, in accordance withembodiments of the invention. FIG. 3 shows the projectile 300 with alocation device 310, a payload 320, and a sensor 330.

The location device 310 may transmit one or more location notifications.Location notifications are described in more detail with reference toFIG. 7 below. The location device 310 may provide one or more locationnotifications before, during, or after a flight of the projectile 300.In-flight location notifications about the projectile 300 may be used todetermine an impact location of the projectile 300.

A location notification provided after the flight of the projectile 300also may provide the impact location of the projectile 300. A highlyaccurate determination of impact location of a projectile may be made bya location device designed to survive projectile impact and thus providea location notification with the actual impact location of theprojectile. However, a location device not designed to surviveprojectile impact may be cheaper, more available, and/or more reliablethan a location device designed to survive projectile impact.

Providing location notifications of the projectile 300 near, but not at,the impact location allows use of location devices not designed tosurvive projectile impact while still providing information needed tomake an accurate estimate of the impact location of the projectile 300.In an embodiment of the invention, the projectile 300 provides only oneor a few in-flight notification when the projectile is near the impactlocation. Providing one or a few notifications may minimize both powerrequirements for the location device and minimize the amount ofcommunications required as well.

The location device 310 may estimate an impact location of theprojectile 300 before reaching the impact location. After estimating theimpact location of the projectile, the location device 310 may provide alocation notification with the estimated impact location. For example,some weapon systems (e.g., anti-tank weapons) have projectiles carryingtwo or more sub-payloads: the first sub-payload may be a “precursorcharge” used to detonate reactive armor or otherwise prepare a targetfor the impact of an explosion. The second sub-payload may be a “maincharge” located in a position to explode slightly later than theprecursor charge to provide more severe damage to the target after theprecursor charge has exploded. The location device 310 on a projectilecarrying multiple sub-payloads may send a location notification when thefirst sub-payload impacts the target as an estimate of the impactlocation of the main charge. The location device 310 may also be able todetermine an estimated distance to the target, such as by emitting apulse of energy (e.g., a radar beam) and measuring the time beforereceiving an echo of the emitted pulse of energy.

The location device 310 may determine the location of the projectile 300using one or more techniques involving one or more technologies. Thelocation device 310 may determine the location of the projectile 300using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. The location device310 may measure the velocity and/or the acceleration of the projectile300 and determine the location of the projectile using dead reckoningtechniques based on the initial location, velocity, and/or accelerationof the projectile 300. The location device 310 may determine thelocation of the projectile 300 by comparing the current location of theprojectile to estimated or actual distances to known landmarks. Thelocation device 310 may determine the location of the projectile 300 bydetecting location signals, such as GPS transmissions, lasers, and/orradio-frequency waves. Other signals are possible as well. Then, thelocation device 310 may report a location notification with locationinformation about the detected location signal.

The location device 310 may provide location information via a “videofeed”, or series of images, from the projectile. The video feed, such asa view from the projectile 300 while in flight, may be used to determinethe location of the projectile. The video feed from the projectile 300may be compared to other video information to determine locationinformation of the projectile 300; e.g., comparing landmarks in thevideo feed from the projectile 300 to landmarks from video from otherprojectiles or other video information of the area. The video feedcomparison may be performed by the location device 310 and/or on adevice not on the projectile, such as projectile-tracking device 250.The video feed may also be used to provide information about the targetas well, such as the structural integrity of the target, and othertargets, personnel, and/or structures near the target.

The location device 310 may provide information via transmittedelectromagnetic energy. In particular, the location device may provideinformation via a laser, directed radio-frequency (RF), or otherelectromagnetic radiation transmitter. One example of providinginformation via transmitted electromagnetic energy is providinginformation via a wired or wireless interface. A wired interface maycomprise one or more wires, fibers, or the like that connect thelocation device to a weapon system and/or a network and permit datatransmission between the location device and the network. A wirelessinterface may comprise a wireless network interface to connect thelocation device to a network and permit data transmission between thelocation device and the network. The wireless interface may use one ormore wireless communication protocols, such as, but not limited to,WiMAX, Wi-Fi, CDMA, GSM, and/or 3 GSM.

As such, the location device 310 may be operable to receive informationfrom the network 230 and/or the weapon system 100, such as shown in FIG.2. Such received information may comprise requests to transmit orretransmit data, such as a request for a location notification orretransmission of a garbled location notification. The location device310 may be operable to receive information to adjust a target of theprojectile. For example, a projectile may have an engine or other deviceoperable to provide in-course adjustments to a trajectory of theprojectile based on the received information to adjust the target of theprojectile.

Location devices and/or location sub-devices may operate on multiplefrequencies, timing, and/or codes. The location device 310 may operateon multiple frequencies simultaneously for redundancy and to makeblocking signals from the location device 310 more difficult. Thelocation device 310 may operate using different timing patterns (i.e.,one or more fixed timeslots allocated per projectile or a predeterminedoffset from a reference timing cycle) to reduce the number ofoverlapping transmissions to and/or from a plurality of projectiles. Thelocation device 310 may operate using multiple codes, such as theidentifier of the projectile 300, to identify transmissions to and/orfrom a given projectile.

As shown in FIG. 3, a location device 310 may one or more locationsub-devices 312, 314, and 316 as part of the location device 310.Multiple sub-devices of the location device 310 allow locationdetermination using multiple technologies and/or techniques and provideredundancy in case of failure. For example, projectile 300 may havethree location sub-devices that use different technologies, such asGlobal Positioning System (GPS) location sub-device 312, aradio-frequency (RF) transmitter sub-device 314 to permit triangulationof RF signals transmitted by RF transmitter sub-device 314, and a laserreflector location sub-device 316. Many other location sub-devices arepossible as well.

The location device 310 may be a passive location device. A passivelocation device may provide location information about the projectile300 indirectly, such as in combination with a range-finding device. Anexample of a passive location device is a mirror or other reflector. Forexample, the location device 310 may reflect electromagnetic radiation(e.g., laser light) and, thus, the location of the projectile 300 may bedetermined by use of a laser-range finder or other device capable ofradiating electromagnetic radiation acting as a range-finding device. Anexample laser-range finder may send a laser pulse toward the locationdevice 310. Then, the laser-range finder may determine the distance tothe projectile 310 by (1) measuring the time taken for the pulse to bereflected from the location device 310 and returned to the laser-rangefinder and (2) determining the distance to the projectile 310 based onthe measured time. Other methods of determining the distance to theprojectile are possible as well, including but not limited to the use ofseismic triangulation.

If other types of electromagnetic radiation are reflected from a passivelocation device 310, a human eye, radar detector, or otherelectromagnetic radiation detector may act as a range-finding device.The range-finding device may send one or more location notifications ofthe projectile, including a location notification of an impact locationof the projectile, based on the determined distance to the projectile.

Further, a range-finding device may provide observations beyond thelocation of the projectile in the location notification. As part ofdetermining a position of a projectile, the range-finding device maymake other observations such as temperature and/or humidity gradientsand make those other observations available via the locationnotification. For example, humidity gradients may be determined based onradar observations of the atmosphere, such as observations made whileobserving a flight of a projectile. A range-finding device may make manyother observations beyond these examples as well.

The location device 310 may comprise a radio-frequency identification(RFID) device. An RFID device may passively await a request signal andrespond with a response signal. The response signal may comprise alocation notification. The RFID device may have a battery, preferably along-lived battery, to power the active RFID device and provide astronger response signal. Alternatively, the RFID device may not have abattery, and thus depend on the power of the response signal to generatethe response signal.

After the projectile 300 has been fired by a weapon system, such asweapon system 100, the payload 320 of the projectile 300 may explode.The payload 320 may explode after an amount of time has passed afterprojectile 300 is fired, upon projectile 300 reaching a certainaltitude, or for other reasons.

The payload 320 may comprise an explosive charge made of high explosive,a nuclear warhead, and/or other materials that act as an explosive. Thelethal radius of projectile 300 may depend on the force of the explosioncaused by the explosive charge of the payload 320 and/or any materialscaused to fly because of the explosion of the projectile 300. Suchflying materials may be fragments of the projectile 300, shrapnel orother foreign bodies carried by projectile 300, portions of a target,and/or other materials caused to fly because of the explosion of theprojectile 300. The payload 320 may partially or wholly comprisenon-explosive material, such as iron or depleted uranium. Othernon-explosive materials may be used as part or the entire payload 320.The payload 320 may be divided into two or more sub-payloads, such asthe precursor charge and main charges described above. The non-explosivematerial may be used to provide additional kinetic energy when theprojectile reaches an impact location (e.g., anti-tank projectiles, railgun projectiles, and cannonballs).

FIG. 3 shows that the projectile 300 equipped with a sensor 330. Theprojectile 300 may also be equipped with one or more sensors to providesensor-based information, such as projectile velocity, projectileacceleration, temperature, humidity, wind speed/direction, and/or othersensor-based data. The sensor-based information may be used to aim theweapon system 100, among other uses.

An Example Scenario and Projectile-Status Display

FIG. 4 shows an example scenario with projectile-tracking device 250tracking a plurality of the projectiles 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440,and 442 fired by a plurality of the weapon systems 410, 412, 414 at aplurality of targets 420 and 422, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention. The projectile-tracking device 250 may be connected to aplurality of weapon systems. FIG. 4 shows the projectile-tracking device250 connected to the weapon systems 410-414.

FIG. 4 shows the projectiles 430-442 fired by the weapon systems 410-414at a plurality of targets 420-422. FIG. 4 shows the projectiles 430-440communicatively connected to the projectile-tracking device 250 andprojectile 442 is shown not communicatively connected to theprojectile-tracking device 250. Each communicatively-connectedprojectile may provide one or more location notifications to theprojectile-tracking device 250.

A projectile may not be communicatively connected to theprojectile-tracking device, such as a projectile equipped with onlypassive location devices/sub-devices. A range-finding device may providelocation notifications about projectiles that are not communicativelyconnected to the projectile-tracking device 250, as described above withreference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows an example projectile-status display 500 of theprojectile-tracking device 250, in accordance with embodiments of theinvention. The projectile-status display 500 may provide informationabout a scenario, such as the scenario shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows theprojectile-status display 500 indicating weapon systems 510, 512, and514, with the weapon system 510 identified with identifier “WeaponSystem (WS) 1”, the weapon system 512 with identifier “WS2”, and theweapon system 514 with identifier “WS3”. FIG. 5 shows the weapon system512 with a type of weapon of “Abrams Tank” and a weapon system status of“90%”. FIG. 5 shows a weapon-system status for the weapon system 510having a category of “intact” and a weapon-system status for the weaponsystem 512 having a numerical value of “95%”. A weapon-system status maybe indicated in a distinctive font, shape, color, type face, and/orusing other distinguishing characteristics.

FIG. 5 shows the projectile-status display 500 indicating a velocity 516for the weapon system 514, using an arrow for a direction of thevelocity 516 with an arrow and a speed or magnitude of the velocity 516of “10 km/hr”.

FIG. 5 shows the projectile-status display 500 indicating targets 520,522, and 524, with target 520 identified by identifier “Target 1”,target 522 identified by identifier “Target 2”, and target 524identified by identifier “Target 3”. FIG. 5 shows target 520 with a typeof weapon of “120 mm mortar” and a weapon system status of “90%”. FIG. 5shows target status for target 522 having a category of “intact” andtarget status for weapon system 524 having a numerical and categoricalvalue of “90% destroyed”. A target status may be indicated in adistinctive font, shape, color, type face, and/or using otherdistinguishing characteristics.

FIG. 5 shows the projectile-status display 500 indicating a creek 530.Other geographical features, such as, but not limited to hills,mountains, valleys, other bodies of water (e.g., oceans, seas, rivers,and lakes), and/or deserts, may be indicated in projectile-statusdisplay 500. A geographical feature may have an identifier. FIG. 5 showsthe creek 530 with an identifier “Battle Creek”. Other displaytechniques may be used by the projectile-status display 500 as well,such as but not limited to, topographical displays, Mercatorprojections, displays of latitude and/or longitude lines, displays on agrid, and/or coordinate system.

FIG. 5 shows the projectile-status display 500 indicating a village 540.Other locations of human settlement, such as, but not limited to,houses, huts, igloos, caves, hamlets, towns, and cities, may beindicated on the projectile-status display 500. A location of humansettlement may have an identifier. FIG. 5 shows the village 540 with anidentifier of “Pennfield Village.” A projectile-status display mayindicate locations of human settlement using a distinctive font, color,shape, type face, and/or using other distinguishing characteristics.

FIG. 5 shows the projectile-status display 500 indicating the impactlocations 550, 552, 554, 556, and 558. Each impact location may beindicated using a distinctive font, color, shape, type face, and/orusing other distinguishing characteristics. FIG. 5 shows the impactlocations 550-558 using large black X's. Many other possible indicationsof impact locations of shots fired by the weapon systems are possible aswell. The indication of an impact location may indicate a source of animpact location (i.e., which weapon system fired a projectile thatlanded at the indicated impact location), such as the “WS1” indicationof the impact location 550.

FIG. 5 shows the projectile-status display 500 indicating in-flightprojectiles 560 and 562. FIG. 5 shows a direction of fire 570 from theweapon system 512 to the projectile 560 and a direction of fire 572 fromthe weapon system 514 to projectile 562, where both direction of fire570 and direction of fire 572 are indicated as lines from a weaponsystem to a projectile in FIG. 5. Other ways, such as arrows or “comettrails”, of indicating directions of fire are possible as well. Adirection of fire shown on the projectile-status display 500 mayindicate the direction as targeted (e.g., in the direction of theazimuth used to fire a projectile) and/or as determined based onlocation notification(s) received from a projectile.

The projectile-status display 500 may integrate information frommultiple information sources and provide the integrated information to auser of the projectile-status display, such as an information sourcethat tracks impact locations indicate one or more impact locations ofshots fired by one or more targets. FIG. 5 shows the projectile-statusdisplay 500 indicating an impact location 580 of a shot fired by atarget and that “Target 1” is the source of the impact location 580.Each impact location may be indicated using a distinctive font, color,shape, type face, and/or using other distinguishing characteristics.

FIG. 5 shows the projectile-status display 500 with a meteorologicalinformation display 590, indicating a temperature of “20° C.”, windspeed and direction information of “10 km/h NNW”, precipitation of“None”, and humidity information of “45%”. Meteorological informationused in the meteorological information display 590 may be determinedfrom one or more sensors on one or more projectiles and/or may bedetermined from other information sources, such as the informationsources 140.

User input may be used to configure the projectile-status display 500.User input may be used to configure the projectile-status display 500 byselecting, removing, and/or modifying graphical characteristics of theindications shown in the projectile-status display 500, including butnot limited to the herein-described indications of the projectiles,impact locations, targets, weapon systems, geographical features,meteorological information, and/or locations of human settlement.

An Example Computing Device

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example computing device 600, inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 6 shows an examplecomputing device 600 comprising a processing unit 610, data storage 620,a user interface 630, and a network-communication interface 640, inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. A computing device 600 maybe a desktop computer, laptop or notebook computer, personal dataassistant (PDA), mobile phone, or any similar device that is equippedwith a processing unit capable of executing computer instructions thatimplement at least part of the herein-described functionality ofinformation sources 240, projectile-tracking device 250, and/orballistics engine 260. Thus, the computing device 600 may performfunctions described herein as being performed by a projectile-trackingdevice, a ballistics engine, and/or information sources.

The processing unit 610 may include one or more central processingunits, computer processors, mobile processors, digital signal processors(DSPs), microprocessors, computer chips, and similar processing unitsnow known and later developed and may execute machine-languageinstructions and process data.

The data storage 620 may comprise one or more storage devices. The datastorage 620 may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory(RAM), removable-disk-drive memory, hard-disk memory, magnetic-tapememory, flash memory, and similar storage devices now known and laterdeveloped. The data storage 620 comprises at least enough storagecapacity to contain data structures 622, and machine-languageinstructions 624. The data structures 622 comprise at least theherein-described location notifications. The machine-languageinstructions 624 contained in the data storage 620 include instructionsexecutable by the processing unit 610 to perform some or all of thefunctions of the herein-described functionality of information sources240, projectile-tracking device 250, and/or ballistics engine 260,including but not limited to the functions of method 800 described withreference to FIG. 8 below.

The user interface 630 may comprise an input unit 632 and/or an outputunit 634. The input unit 632 may receive user input from a user of thecomputing device 600. The input unit 632 may comprise a keyboard, akeypad, a touch screen, a computer mouse, a track ball, a joystick,and/or other similar devices, now known or later developed, capable ofreceiving user input from a user of the computing device 600. The outputunit 634 may provide output to a user of the computing device 600. Theoutput unit 634 may comprise one or more cathode ray tubes (CRT), liquidcrystal displays (LCD), light emitting diodes (LEDs), displays usingdigital light processing (DLP) technology, printers, light bulbs, and/orother similar devices, now known or later developed, capable ofdisplaying graphical, textual, and/or numerical information to a user ofthe computing device 600.

The network-communication interface 640 is configured to send andreceive data and may include a wired-communication interface and/or awireless-communication interface. The wired-communication interface, ifpresent, may comprise a wire, cable, fiber-optic link or similarphysical connection to a wide area network (WAN), a local area network(LAN), one or more public data networks, such as the Internet, one ormore private data networks, or any combination of such networks. Thewireless-communication interface, if present, may utilize an airinterface, such as an IEEE 802.11 (e.g., Wi-Fi) interface to a WAN, aLAN, one or more public data networks (e.g., the Internet), one or moreprivate data networks, or any combination of public and private datanetworks.

An Example Location Notification

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an example location notification 700, inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. A location notificationprovides information about a projectile that has been fired by a weaponsystem. FIG. 7 shows the location notification 700 with locationinformation 710, timing information 720, velocity information 730,projectile information 740, weapon-system information 750, targetinformation 760, and sensor-based information 770. It is to beunderstood that a specific location notification 700 may not compriseall of the information, or may comprise more information, than describedherein.

The location notification 700 may comprise location information aboutthe projectile fired by the weapon system, such as location information710. FIG. 7 shows location information 710 with coordinate information712. The coordinate information 712 may comprise the coordinates of aprojectile expressed using a two or three dimensional coordinate system,such as [x,y] or [x,y,z] coordinates for a Cartesian coordinate system.The coordinate information 712 may use latitude, longitude, and, perhapselevation above mean sea level to express location or may be expressedusing polar coordinates, spherical coordinates, or another coordinatesystem. The location information 710 may comprise information about alocation signal as location signal 714. The location signal 714 mayprovide an identifier of an observed location signal and/or anindication of strength of the observed location signal.

FIG. 7 indicates that the location notification 700 may comprise timinginformation, such as timing information 720. The timing information 720may include one or more times, such as the time that (a) the projectilewas fired, (b) the location of the projectile was determined, or (c) thelocation notification was transmitted.

The location notification 700 may comprise data about a velocity of theprojectile fired by the weapon system, such as velocity information 730.The velocity of the projectile may comprise a magnitude of the velocityand/or a direction of the velocity. FIG. 7 shows velocity information730 with magnitude 732 and direction 734.

The magnitude 732 may be expressed in terms of units of measurement.Example units of measurement for velocity are kilometers/hour,miles/hour, meters/second or feet/second. The velocity may be indicatedwith respect to one or more fixed directions, such as indicating thevelocity as an angle relative to true north. The velocity may beexpressed as one or more vector components, such as a component in anorth-south direction, a component in an east-west direction, and/or acomponent in an up-down direction. The sign of magnitude 732 mayindicate a direction of the projectile; for example, a positivemagnitude may indicate the projectile is traveling in the direction ofthe target and a negative magnitude may indicate the projectile istraveling away from the target. Many other methods of expressing thevelocity are possible as well.

The direction 734 may be expressed as a vector in a coordinate system,including but not limited to, any coordinate system used to express thecoordinate information 712. In particular, the direction 734 may beexpressed using the same coordinate system as the coordinate information712.

A location notification may comprise data about the projectile fired bythe weapon system, such as projectile information 740. FIG. 7 showsprojectile information 740 with an identifier 742, a propellant/chargelevel 744, and payload information 746. The identifier 742 may provideidentification information about the projectile, such as a serial numberor tracking number of the projectile. The propellant/charge level 744may include information about the propellant and/or charge level forfiring the projectile. The payload information 746 may includeinformation about the payload of the projectile, such as a type ofpayload and/or amount of payload.

A location notification may comprise data about the weapon system, suchas weapon-system information 750. FIG. 7 shows weapon-system information750 with an identifier 752 and a location 754. The identifier 752 mayprovide identification information about a weapon system that fired aprojectile, such as a serial number, tracking number, or otheridentifier of the weapon system. The location 754 may provideinformation about the location of the weapon system, such as thelocation of the weapon system when the projectile was fired.

The location notification 700 may comprise information about a target ofthe projectile fired by the weapon system, such as target information760. FIG. 7 shows the target information 760 with an identifier 762 anda location 764. The identifier 762 may include an identifier of atarget, such as shown in projectile-status display 500. The location 764may include a location of the target, expressed in a coordinate system,such as the coordinate systems described above for the coordinateinformation 712 and the direction 734.

A location notification may comprise sensor-based data, such assensor-based information 770. FIG. 7 shows the location notification 700with sensor-based information 770. For example, the projectile 300 mayalso be equipped with one or more sensors 330 to provide sensor-basedinformation, such as projectile velocity, projectile acceleration,temperature, humidity, wind speed/direction, and other sensor-baseddata. The data gathered from the one or more sensors 330 may be reportedas sensor-based information 770. Sensor-based information 770 maycomprise a type of data gathered and/or a measurement for each datumgathered by the one or more sensors 330.

An Example Method for Adjusting the Targeting of a Weapon System

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example method 800, in accordance withembodiments of the invention. It should be understood that each block inthis flowchart and within other flowcharts presented herein mayrepresent a module, segment, or portion of computer program code, whichincludes one or more executable instructions for implementing specificlogical functions or steps in the process. Alternate implementations areincluded within the scope of the example embodiments in which functionsmay be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, includingsubstantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on thefunctionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonablyskilled in the art of the described embodiments.

The method 800 is a method for adjusting a targeting solution of aweapon system that fires one or more projectiles at one or more targets.The method 800 may be performed by a projectile-tracking device. Thefunctions of a projectile-tracking device may be performed by computersoftware executed on a computing device, such as computing device 600,configured to execute some or all of the steps of herein-described themethod 800.

At block 810, the projectile-tracking device may receive a locationnotification about a projectile. The location notification may bereceived about an in-flight projectile. The location notification may besent from the location device of the projectile. The locationnotification may be sent by a device, such as a range-finding device,monitoring the projectile equipped with a passive location device. Thelocation notification may comprise the some or all of the information inlocation notification 700, shown in FIG. 7.

At block 820, the projectile-tracking device may determine an impactlocation of the projectile based on a location notification. Thelocation notification may comprise the impact location of theprojectile. Alternatively, the location notification may providelocation information of an in-flight projectile, such as locationinformation when the projectile was near to the impact location. Thein-flight location information may be used to estimate the impactlocation of the projectile. An estimate of the impact location of theprojectile may be determined mathematically, such as by use of theballistic equation and/or curve-fitting algorithms.

At block 830, the projectile-tracking device may adjust the targetingsolution of a weapon system, based on the determined impact location ofthe projectile. The targeting solution may comprise an azimuth, anelevation, and/or a location of the weapon system.

The projectile-tracking device may adjust the targeting solution of theweapon system directly, such as by requesting the weapon system tochange the azimuth of the weapon system, elevation of the weapon system,location of the weapon system, or any combination thereof. Theprojectile-tracking device may adjust the targeting solution of theweapon system within one or more ranges of parameter values, such asadjusting the targeting solution within a limited range of elevationvalues. The projectile-tracking device may directly adjust some, but notall parameters of the targeting solution, such as only adjusting azimuthand elevation, but not the location of the weapon system.

The projectile-tracking device may indirectly adjust the targetingsolution of the weapon system. The projectile-tracking device mayindirectly adjust the targeting solution by displaying impact locationsand/or suggested targeting solutions to the weapon system.

User input may be provided to the projectile-tracking device to: (a)select direct and/or indirect adjustments to the targeting solution, (b)confirm an adjustment to the targeting solution, (c) partially overridean adjustment to the targeting solution, (d) completely override anadjustment to the targeting solution, (e) configure theprojectile-tracking device, including the projectile-status display 500shown in FIG. 5, and/or (f) specify one or more ranges of parametervalues for the targeting solution.

The projectile-tracking device may adjust an error-weighting function ofthe weapon system. The projectile-tracking device may adjust theerror-weighing function by providing location notifications and/orimpact locations to a ballistic engine. In an embodiment of theinvention, the projectile-tracking device may comprise the functionalityof the ballistic engine and use the determined impact locations toadjust the error-weighting function. The error-weighting function is afunction that estimates the amount of error of a weapon system based onone or more error-source weights. The error-source weights compriseestimates of an effect of each error source on the error of a weaponsystem.

The error-weighting function can be used to predict actual performanceof a weapon system. The error-weighting function may, in combinationwith the ballistics equation of motion, predict an actual trajectory ofa shot fired using the weapon system by providing an accurate model ofthe perturbation from the ideal trajectory induced by errors in theweapon system.

At block 840, the projectile-tracking device may determine a status of atarget. The status of the target may be determined based on thedetermined impact location and information about the payload of thetarget. A lethal radius may be determined by the projectile-trackingdevice based on the payload of the projectile. Then, the status of thetarget may be determined based on comparing the lethal radius to thedistance between the impact location and the target. For example, if thedistance between the impact location and the target is less than thelethal radius, the status of the target may be “destroyed.” As anotherexample, if the distance between the impact location and the target isslightly larger than the lethal radius, the status of the target may be“partially destroyed”. The projectile-tracking device may use otherinformation sources to provide the status of the target, perhaps basedon the location of the target and the impact location.

At block 850, the projectile-tracking device may display aprojectile-status display. The projectile-status display may comprisesome or all of the information of the projectile-status display.

At block 860, a determination may be made if more projectiles are to befired. For example, the determination may be made that no moreprojectiles are to be fired if (a) no more targets are available to theweapon system, (b) no more projectiles are available for the weaponsystem to fire, and/or (c) user input to the projectile-tracking device.If more projectiles are to be fired, the method 800 proceeds to block810. If no more projectiles are to be fired, the method 800 ends.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove. Those skilled in the art will understand, however, that changesand modifications may be made to the embodiments described withoutdeparting from the true scope and spirit of the present invention, whichis defined by the claims. It should be understood, however, that thisand other arrangements described in detail herein are provided forpurposes of example only and that the invention encompasses allmodifications and enhancements within the scope and spirit of thefollowing claims. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatother arrangements and other elements (e.g. machines, interfaces,functions, orders, and groupings of functions, etc.) can be usedinstead, and some elements may be omitted altogether.

Further, many of the elements described herein are functional entitiesthat may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or inconjunction with other components, in any suitable combination andlocation, and as any suitable combination of hardware, firmware, and/orsoftware.

1. A method for adjusting a targeting solution of a weapon system,wherein the weapon system fires a first projectile at a target,comprising: receiving a first location notification about the firstprojectile, wherein the first location notification comprises locationinformation about the first projectile and wherein the first projectilecomprises a location device; determining a first impact location of thefirst projectile based on the first location notification; and adjustingthe targeting solution of the weapon system based on the determinedfirst impact location.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving a second location notification for a second projectile firedby the weapon system at the target, wherein the second projectilecomprises a location device; determining a second impact location of thesecond projectile based on the second location notification; andadjusting the targeting solution of the weapon system, based on thedetermined second impact location.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst location device provides a location notification about anin-flight location of the first projectile.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein adjusting the targeting solution of the weapon system based onthe first impact location comprises performing an indirect adjustment ofthe targeting solution of the weapon system.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the first location device provides an impact location of thefirst projectile.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first locationdevice provides information via transmitted electromagnetic energy. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the first location device is a passivelocation device.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first locationdevice reflects electromagnetic radiation.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the first location notification comprises weapon-systeminformation about the weapon system.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining a status of the target based on the first impactlocation.
 11. A projectile-tracking device, comprising: a processor;data storage; and machine-language instructions stored in the datastorage and executable by the processor to perform functions comprising:determining a first target of a first weapon system based on a firsttargeting solution, comprising a first azimuth, a first elevation, and afirst location, receiving a location notification from a projectilefired from the first weapon system, determining a first impact locationof the projectile, and determining a second target of the first weaponsystem based on the first impact location.
 12. The projectile-trackingdevice of claim 11, wherein determining a second target of the firstweapon system comprises determining a second location of the firstweapon system, wherein the second location differs from the firstlocation.
 13. The projectile-tracking device of claim 11, whereindetermining a second target of the first weapon system comprisesdetermining a second azimuth of the first weapon system, wherein thesecond azimuth differs from the first azimuth.
 14. Theprojectile-tracking device of claim 11, wherein determining a secondtarget of the first weapon system comprises determining a secondelevation of the first weapon system, wherein the second elevationdiffers from the first elevation.
 15. The projectile-tracking device ofclaim 11, wherein the projectile-tracking device further comprises anoutput unit, and the functions further comprise displaying aprojectile-status display on an output unit, wherein theprojectile-status display comprises a display of an in-flight locationof a projectile.
 16. The projectile-tracking device of claim 11, whereinthe functions further comprise: determining a third target of a secondweapon system; receiving a location notification from a projectile firedfrom the second weapon system; and determining a second impact locationof the projectile fired from the second weapon system.
 17. Theprojectile-tracking device of claim 16, wherein the third targetcomprises a third azimuth and a third elevation.
 18. Theprojectile-tracking device of claim 16, wherein the functions furthercomprise: determining a fourth target of the second weapon system basedon either the first or the second impact location.
 19. Theprojectile-tracking device of claim 18, wherein determining the fourthtarget of the second weapon system comprises determining a fourthazimuth of the second weapon system, wherein the fourth azimuth differsfrom the third azimuth.
 20. A system, comprising: a weapon systemconfigured to fire a projectile at a target, wherein the projectilecomprises a location device and is configured to provide a locationnotification; and a projectile-tracking device configured to (1) receivethe location notification and (2) display a projectile-status display,wherein the projectile-status display comprises: the location of theprojectile based on the received location notification, a location ofthe weapon system, and a location of the target of the weapon system.